Othello The Moore of Venice: a tragedy by William Shakespeare about two central characters: Othello a Moorish general in the Venetian army and his treacherous ensign Iago

Othello The Moore of VeniceWilliam ShakespeareOthello (The Tragedy of Othello the Moor of Venice) is a tragedy by William Shakespeare believed to have been written in 1603. It is based on the story Un Capitano Moro (A Moorish Captain) by Cinthio (a disciple of Boccaccios) first published in 1565.The story revolves around its two central characters: Othello a Moorish general in the Venetian army and his treacherous ensign Iago. Given its varied and enduring themes of racism love jealousy betrayal revenge and repentance Othello is still often performed in professional and community theatre alike and has been the source for numerous operatic film and literary adaptations.Act IRoderigo a wealthy and dissolute gentleman complains to his friend Iago an ensign that Iago has not told him about the secret marriage between Desdemona the daughter of a senator named Brabantio and Othello a Moorish general in the Venetian army. Roderigo is upset because he loves Desdemona and had asked her father Brabantio for her hand in marriage.Iago hates Othello for promoting a younger man named Cassio above him whom Iago considers a less capable soldier than himself and tells Roderigo that he plans to exploit Othello for his own advantage. Iago convinces Roderigo to wake Brabantio and tell him about his daughters elopement. Meanwhile Iago sneaks away to find Othello and warns him that Brabantio is coming for him.Brabantio provoked by Roderigo is enraged and will not rest until he has confronted Othello but he finds Othellos residence full of the Duke of Venices guards who prevent violence. News has arrived in Venice that the Turks are going to attack Cyprus and Othello is therefore summoned to advise the senators. Brabantio has no option but to accompany Othello to the Dukes residence where he accuses Othello of seducing Desdemona by witchcraft.Othello defends himself before the Duke of Venice Brabantios kinsmen Lodovico and Gratiano and various senators. Othello explains that Desdemona became enamoured of him for the sad and compelling stories he told of his life before Venice not because of any witchcraft. The senate is satisfied once Desdemona confirms that she loves Othello but Brabantio leaves saying that Desdemona will betray Othello: Look to her Moor if thou hast eyes to see: /She has deceived her father and may thee (Act I Sc 3). Iago still in the room takes note of Brabantios remark. By order of the Duke Othello leaves Venice to command the Venetian armies against invading Turks on the island of Cyprus accompanied by his new wife his new lieutenant Cassio his ensign Iago and Iagos wife Emilia as Desdemonas attendant.